A HANDFUL of squatters are still living on land at Tyting Farm in Guildford after they were turfed out of the estate’s outbuildings.

The borough council served an interim possession order (IPO) on the group last Wednesday and officers arrived on Friday to take possession of the outbuildings.

A council spokeswoman said: “A small number of squatters remain in the grounds of the farm and they are aware that they are liable to arrest if they re-enter the premises.

“An application by Guildford Borough Council for a full possession order is due to be heard on Wednesday, June 10.

"If successful, this will enable the council to take possession of all the land and buildings associated with Tyting Farm.”

Squatters took over the council-owned farm on April 26 and were soon joined by members of the Circle Community, an environmental group which had been squatting on Raven’s Ait island in Surbiton.

A series of events collectively called the Rainbrow Gathering were held there and, at its peak, the group grew to more than 50 people.

"Very peaceful"

By the time the council secured its IPO, only about a dozen remained but the group plans to submit a proposal to turn Tyting into a community farm.

The 118-acre farm was put up for rent in January, three years after residents successfully fought off council plans to sell patches off to private buyers.

In 2006, the Halow Project and Surrey Wildlife Trust agreed to take possession of the farm on a 50-year lease but the deal collapsed amid dissatisfaction with the length of the agreement.

Homeless man Dean Scott, from Guildford, is one of four people who are still camping outside the farmhouse.

He said the squatters moved out of the buildings voluntarily and most had left altogether by Friday morning.

“Everything was very peaceful and they didn’t send any bailiffs up,” he said. “No-one was asked to move because people were already doing it. The police came for a bit, had a look around and then left.”

Mr Scott, 38, said the group left the farm despite the IPO not being signed by Robert Reid, the Guildford County Court judge who issued it.

“They complained about graffiti on the walls but that was here before we arrived,” he added.

The council has set a deadline of Monday, June 15, for proposals to be submitted for Tyting Farm and there are understood to be four other interested parties.

Music studio

The squatters have set up the Tyting Community Project, which describes itself as a “sustainable educational facility for the 21st century”.

Mr Scott said the farm would be turned into an activity centre for residents including students and children.

“The people in the town who think they don’t have many prospects can come down here and grow food,” he said.

“We’ve got enough equipment to start a 12v music studio. We would like to offer studio time to young musicians in return for them doing a bit of work on the farm.”

Another man still living on the land is former M15 whistleblower David Shayler, who insists he is enforcing his common law rights to be there.

Last week, he told Judge Reid: “The common law is the only law. We are only subject to the laws of an organisation or any other corporation we live under so far as we consent to it.”

When granting the IPO, Judge Reid dismissed Mr Shayler’s arguments and said: “It’s not a question of whether I sympathise or not with the various objectives the people in occupation have.

“It does not entitle them to jump the gun and say ‘We are here, we must stay’.”